Full Breakdown
Dalton Smith Targets Alberto Puello in October Title Fight, Eyes Hillsborough Showdown Next Year
8/20/2026, 8:33:08 PM
Upcoming Title Defense Against Alberto Puello
Dalton Smith, the unbeaten 29-year-old WBC light-welterweight champion, will face two-time former world champion Alberto Puello at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on October 24. The bout, originally slated for June, was delayed after Smith sustained a training-camp injury, according to the BBC. A victory would set up Smith’s first title defence on home soil, with a future bout at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium described by the champion as the “cherry on the cake.”
Background and Recent Achievements
Smith captured the WBC light-welterweight belt in January, stopping Subriel Matias in New York. He has compiled a perfect 19-fight record, winning 14 contests inside the distance. The upcoming fight marks his first defence since the title win and the first major event in his hometown.
Official Statements & Plans
Speaking at a Sheffield news conference, Smith emphasized a step-by-step approach, noting that once his hand is raised on October 24, he will consider the next challenge, with the Hillsborough venue highlighted as a coveted stage for his subsequent defence. He also stressed that he “doesn’t overlook anything” and will focus on one fight at a time.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You don't overlook anything. One fight at a time,” — Dalton Smith
What’s Next
If Smith overcomes Puello, the champion intends to schedule his inaugural home-crowd defence at Hillsborough stadium in the following year, a venue he has called the “cherry on the top” of his career ambitions. The exact date for that future bout has not been announced.
